What would you do in a fire?

[Missy]

@Jambalaya just posted that she surprised herself and ran out without taking anything because of course time is critical in a fire. What would you do?

Would you try to take your most valuable jewelry/papers/photos?
Would you look for your furry babies before running out?


Or would you just run out as is as fast as you can?

 

[Missy]

I would definitely try to save the cats before leaving the house. I just couldn't leave without trying to get them.
It would be challenging as anyone who knows cats know they hide like champs.

Greg first. Cats second. I wouldn't even give a thought to getting any bling out. Living beings first.

Once out of the house I would call the fire department if someone already hasn't.
Neighbors etc would have probably already called and if not I would knock on their door and use their phone.
Because I am not wasting time to get my mobile phone when escaping a fire.

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

I don’t care about my things - would just want to grab anyone who is in the house when the fire happens. My phone is usually in my hand at all times, so I’d take that out with me if that is the case, so that I can call the fire brigade.

I have some sentimental things that I would hate to lose, but life > things.

 

[Matata]

Sept. 2020 we faced that scenario when wildfires forced us to evacuate. The only things I cared about taking were the cats so our cars were full with cats, their food, meds, and litter and DH and I had just the clothes on our backs.

 

[TooPatient]

When we were moving out of my apartment about 13 years ago, the maintenance people started a fire in the walls while installing a new dryer. I was home alone with our three cats. DH was at the new house working at getting it ready to move into. My only sign there was trouble was maintenance pounding on doors screaming to get out because the building was on fire. I grabbed the first cat and dropped her in a box that was handy and the second got shoved into a suitcase. The third ran and hid. I was beside myself as they pushed me out with just two of the cats. Nothing else mattered. Thankfully, it was just a minor issue and all was okay. Ready or not, we moved into the new house that night. No damage to our apartment despite it being the unit above us. Just couldn't be comfortable staying there another night after how the fire was handled.

Our new house is three floors. One is closed off so won't have an animal hiding. The dogs are in their room (attached to ours) when we are gone and overnight. The cats sleep in our room with the door closed. In event of fire, we have carriers sitting next to the window to drop each cat into. (I still need to get ripe and attach them to be lowered from the window). The dogs are trickier. If we can get down the stairs, there is a door right there. All the dogs have a leash ready to go just in case. I am still trying to think about how we could lower them if we have to. They also have gps trackers so if they ended up loose (or as a last ditch effort leaving the doors open), we could find them. There is a fire ladder ready to drop from the second floor and from the third. I want to add a good fire proof safe so that our most important documents (and maybe a piece or two of jewelry) can be safe. At the end of the day, I know we will be struggling just to get the animals out. There is nothing else I would even pause for. Just them and us safe is all I would hope for.

ETA: I would need to call 911 as soon as possible in the process. We have no fire hydrants in the area (for miles either direction) and they are just a few minutes away. Keeping it from growing as we escape would be a help. I doubt I would pause to call until animals are safe though. Not sure we have any neighbors near enough to notice and call until way too late to do anything though....

 

[lala646]

I had a fire in my apartment a few years ago. I came home after a long day at the office to discover the fire had just been extinguished. My only concern at the time was my sweet kitty. Nothing else mattered. Once he was safe, the magnitude of the loss sunk in. I'm still sad over a few items which were lost, but by and large losing half my possessions had no discernable impact on my life. I will add though that I did have renter's insurance, which did help me to replace whatever I actually wanted to replace without much financial hardship.

 

[Tartansparkles]

When the kids were little I'd drill into them what to do (if upstairs stay in your room, if downstairs go out front door, wait at end of the driveway) and in my head I regularly run through what I'd do. I know which windows we can climb out of and safely reach the ground.

 

[Missy]

From the Red Cross.​

If a Fire Starts:​

​

• Know how to safely operate a fire extinguisher
• Remember to GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL 9-1-1 or your local emergency phone number.
• Yell "Fire!" several times and go outside right away. If you live in a building with elevators, use the stairs. Leave all your things where they are and save yourself.
• If closed doors or handles are warm or smoke blocks your primary escape route, use your second way out. Never open doors that are warm to the touch.
• If you must escape through smoke, get low and go under the smoke to your exit. Close doors behind you.
• If smoke, heat or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with doors closed. Place a wet towel under the door and call the fire department or 9-1-1. Open a window and wave a brightly colored cloth or flashlight to signal for help.
• Once you are outside, go to your meeting place and then send one person to call the fire department. If you cannot get to your meeting place, follow your family emergency communication plan.

If your clothes catch on fire:​

​

• Stop what you’re doing.
• Drop to the ground and cover your face if you can.
• Roll over and over or back and forth until the flames go out. Running will only make the fire burn faster.

Once the flames are out, cool the burned skin with water for three to five minutes. Call for medical attention.​

If you live in an apartment building:
Activate the first fire alarm you see and try to help others to evacuate the building. Close doors behind you to help prevent the fire from spreading. Follow the evacuation procedure if you're at your workplace or follow the escape route signs if you're a visitor. Listen to instructions given by the Fire Marshal.

 

[TooPatient]

From the Red Cross.​

If a Fire Starts:​

​

• Know how to safely operate a fire extinguisher
• Remember to GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL 9-1-1 or your local emergency phone number.
• Yell "Fire!" several times and go outside right away. If you live in a building with elevators, use the stairs. Leave all your things where they are and save yourself.
• If closed doors or handles are warm or smoke blocks your primary escape route, use your second way out. Never open doors that are warm to the touch.
• If you must escape through smoke, get low and go under the smoke to your exit. Close doors behind you.
• If smoke, heat or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with doors closed. Place a wet towel under the door and call the fire department or 9-1-1. Open a window and wave a brightly colored cloth or flashlight to signal for help.
• Once you are outside, go to your meeting place and then send one person to call the fire department. If you cannot get to your meeting place, follow your family emergency communication plan.

If your clothes catch on fire:​

​

• Stop what you’re doing.
• Drop to the ground and cover your face if you can.
• Roll over and over or back and forth until the flames go out. Running will only make the fire burn faster.

Once the flames are out, cool the burned skin with water for three to five minutes. Call for medical attention.​

If you live in an apartment building:
Activate the first fire alarm you see and try to help others to evacuate the building. Close doors behind you to help prevent the fire from spreading. Follow the evacuation procedure if you're at your workplace or follow the escape route signs if you're a visitor. Listen to instructions given by the Fire Marshal.

Feel doors and handles with back of hands as they are more sensitive and will keep you from being unable to open another door if you get burned.

 

[Missy]

I know @Matata already outlined what to do if you have advance notice of potential fires but FYI.

How to save your cat from a fire | Happy Cats Haven

Wildfires are common in Colorado. Many of us had to evacuate from both the Waldo Canyon Fire and the Black Forest Fire, giving us first-hand experience with fires. If you […]

happycatshaven.org

Wildfires are common in Colorado. Many of us had to evacuate from both the Waldo Canyon Fire and the Black Forest Fire, giving us first-hand experience with fires. If you ever have to evacuate your home with your cat or cats, here are some tips based on what the Happy Cats family has already gone through.

TIP 1: SECURE YOUR CAT
Before you start packing, either secure your cats in a small closed room like a bathroom or put them in their carriers. Your cats are very sensitive to your emotions and actions and will likely become anxious when all the commotion starts. This may cause them to hide or try to get away, possibly ending up lost.

TIP 2: USE CARRIERS

Always use a carrier to transport your cat. A frightened animal will be in flight-or-fight response, neither of which you want to deal with while evacuating. Your cats will be less fearful if they know they’re secure in a carrier, especially if you have a towel to put over the top of it. Please try to have a carrier for each cat. If you have to cram your cats together, you risk them taking their fear out on each other and will have even more frightened animals to deal with later.

TIP 3: GRAB THEIR STUFF

If you have time, grab their beds, blankets, scratchers and/or litter box. Anything that can make wherever they’re going smell like where they’ve come from will also help ease their fright.

TIP 4: BRING CALMING AGENTS

Treats, toys and Rescue Remedy will all help to settle your cats when you arrive at your safe haven. Play is one of the best ways to normalize a cat and switch them from fear mode into something more positive. Giving them their favorite treat can also help, but don’t expect most cats to start eating if they’re still stressed. Rescue Remedy (available at your local health food store) is a supplement that can be put in their water to help ease their anxiety.

TIP 5: SECURE YOUR CAT AGAIN

Once you arrive at your safe place, tuck your cats into a small room with their things. Cats bond to place as well as people, so having you there with them, talking quietly and using the calming agents, can help them know they’re safe and sound.





Pet Fire Safety Day: How To Prepare Your Pets

1. Keep All Microchip Information Up to Date. ...
2. Designate a Secondary Contact. ...
3. Pack an Emergency Kit for Your Pet. ...
4. Make Sure Your Pet is Carrier-Ready. ...
5. Put a Pet Alert Sticker Where Firefighters Will See It‍

 

[Missy]

Feel doors and handles with back of hands as they are more sensitive and will keep you from being unable to open another door if you get burned.

Yes that is a definite must. We learned that in fire safety 101. So critical. It is also on the list I shared. Thanks @TooPatient

 

[CMN]

My first inclination is to say husband first then furry pets. My two cats‘ carriers are set up in their room ready to go. Would shake their box of food to quickly find them - this usually works as they are food obsessed and normally come running. Cats first as they would take a little bit of time to put into their carriers then grab dog, harness and lead.

Of course the response would probably depend on where the fire was and it’s extent. If it was a small fire in my kitchen or similar then I would try to put it out first. I keep a small fire extinguisher in my kitchen just in case.

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

My cats would have been out before me (they have a "cat window"). The dog would have been up my butt to get out. I would grab my people and go. I'm not concerned about stuff.

 

[GliderPoss]

Grab the cat and I have a small portfolio in my bedside table (which has passport, copies of birth certificates & other really important docs) plus maybe my beloved teddy bear…. Everything else including bling is insured & technically replaceable.